As the war in Gaza rages on, our Israeli troops are fighting their hardest. Countless Israeli home cooks and restaurants are helping the effort. Thousands of Israelis are baking cakes and cookies by the dozen and preparing home-cooked meals for the battle-hardened soldiers.
The IDF has a lot on its plate at the moment, so it’s a great time to look at what is on the plates of those with special dietary restrictions.
Rational Rations
For most armies, rations range from repulsive to revolting, but the Israeli army makes a concentrated effort to look out for its soldiers. In recent years, a growing number of soldiers have adopted specialized diets for health, ethical, or religious reasons. This has prompted the Israeli Army to address the unique dietary requirements of soldiers, including those who follow vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian, and gluten-free diets.
Of course, the army, first and foremost, keeps a Kosher kitchen in every army base to accommodate Jews of every religious orientation in Israel. But it’s gone one step further to provide meals for its vegans and vegetarians.
Vegetarians & Vegans in the Army
The IDF has over 10,000 active vegan soldiers, with thousands more in the reserves. That's a whopping 1 out of every 18 soldiers!
Nowadays, every army base provides options for vegetarians and vegans to ensure they have all they need. One of the most common meat substitutes is Schnitzel Tiras, a crispy corn schnitzel. However, since it includes eggs, it's a no-go for vegan soldiers. The army also provides alternatives for Vegans, like soy chicken, tofu stir-fry, or even falafel. For breakfasts, soy milk and nut milks are now provided to ensure Vegan soldiers are cared for.
It wasn’t always this way; vegan soldiers from 20 years ago would be required to bring a special "Vegetarian Soldier" slip due to Israel and most of the world not recognizing veganism yet. With which they would be greeted with a hard-boiled egg (not vegan) or two balls of falafel. One soldier told us that without the slip on him, he would not be given a vegan meal at all.
The demand for meal reform for vegetarians gained traction in recent years due to a massive rise in veganism in Israel. In a poll done in 2010, it was found that only 2.6% of Israelis were vegetarians or vegans. Israel now boasts one of the world's highest percentages of vegetarians/vegans, with 5% of Israelis being vegetarians and 5% being vegans.
Additionally, Israel offers berets and shoes with leather substitutes to accommodate soldiers who extend their vegan lifestyle to the clothing they wear. The IDF also ensures that vegan soldiers receive supplementary nutrients such as vitamin B12 and iron to maintain optimal health and performance.
Vegans and vegetarian soldiers now have it easier than ever, but there’s still a way to go.
J17 Vegan Restaurant in Tel Aviv preparing food to send to soldiers
Gluten-Free in the Army
Being Gluten-free in the army hasn’t always been as easy as it is now. Up until several years ago, people diagnosed with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance would be excluded from combat service entirely. However, this solution has been modified in the past few years to allow gluten-free and Celiac soldiers to fight for their country even in combat positions.
Today, many mess halls have a designated buffet area providing a diverse array of gluten-free grains, such as rice, quinoa, and corn. Additionally, the Army meticulously labels all food items, enabling soldiers to identify gluten-free options easily. This attention to detail ensures that soldiers with gluten sensitivities can maintain a balanced and nutritious diet without compromising their health or performance.
Beyond providing specialized meals, health professionals are readily available to offer personalized guidance and ensure that soldiers can perform their duties effectively.
Private Organizations
As Jews, we take our food seriously, so in wartime, when food is always challenging, it becomes even more problematic for Vegans. Most meals for soldiers come from cans and boxes, as they are often away from their base for days at a time. But instead of being fed the kosher version of SPAM or cans of tuna, they are given beans, chickpeas, and other canned dishes filled with protein. I’m certain that very few of you are excited by canned chickpeas and beans, which is why hundreds of organizations are chipping in to make home-cooked meals for Israeli soldiers.
One such organization, Vegan Friendly, has been working around the clock to make meals for vegans and vegetarians alike, working to connect volunteer cooks with the soldiers that need them and whipping up tasty vegan sandwiches so that the vegan soldiers in the army don’t get too hungry in the line of battle.
Vegan Fricassee Prepared By a Volunteer in Beer Sheva to deliver to vegan soldiers
Wheat Out is another organization currently working to make home-cooked meals for Israeli soldiers with gluten-free diets, and are working hard to keep our troops well-fed and nourished along with volunteers who have worked to bring gluten free products to those soldiers in need.
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The Israeli Army's progressive stance towards soldiers with special dietary needs is a powerful reminder of its dedication to inclusivity and adaptability. By catering to the preferences of soldiers following vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian, and gluten-free diets, the Army ensures that every individual can serve their country while maintaining their chosen lifestyle. As a vegetarian and soon-to-be soldier, I look forward to my service and appreciate the efforts made by the army to cater to the needs of their soldiers, as well as the help from outside kitchens and organizations during this critical time.
That’s great to hear , I was in the army in the sixties and had to eat what I was given. Ido not eat butter or margarine or lamb .